Ruud ready for semi challenge

Norwegian Casper Ruud won the biggest match of his career in Miami on Wednesday night, beating world No. 4 Alexander Zverev a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

Zverev struggled to handle Ruud’s serve in the opening set and took some time get into the match, leveling at 3-3 before Ruud’s aggressive play saw him take the set.

The second set saw Zverev on fire as he blew through the set to take the tie to a decider.

Ruud received medical attention for a foot injury before the start of the third but didn’t show any signs of faltering as he broke for a 2-0 lead.

The Norwegian then produced some superb winners to seal his place in tomorrow’s semis.
“I didn’t hit any clean return winners but I was able to return a little bit deeper and make him play a little bit more from further behind in the court,” Ruud said afterwards.
“A couple of breaks, a couple of points that can decide a match like this and today it went my way.”
Ruud will face Argentine Francisco Cerundolo next after his opponent ninth seed Jannik Sinner was forced to retire from their match with foot blisters.